Dasuki to Presidency: I am ready for trial

The former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on Wednesday said he is ready for trial over the N644billion fictitious arms deal uncovered by a probe panel.

Dasuki said he acted in the interest of the country and with the fear of God in office.

He also said that contrary to the claim of the Presidency, he submitted a comprehensive list of arms procured to President Muhammadu Buhari before leaving office.

He said all contracts and payments were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dasuki, who opened up in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, declared that he was prepared to meet the Federal Government in court.

The ex-NSA said he had a lot to tell Nigerians except for the security of the country which was guiding him.

He said: “In a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet to be named former public officers.

“To draw sympathy, the Presidency quoted some absurd findings including extra-budgetary interventions, award of fictitious contracts, 53 failed contracts, payment for jobs without contractual agreements and non-execution of contracts for the purchase of four Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition.

“For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former National Security Adviser guilty as charged.

“The statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, who should know better as a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a witness to history, was nothing sort of propaganda to cast aspersions on Dasuki.

“To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings.

“At least, fairness demands that the panel ought to hear from Dasuki instead of its recourse to hasty conclusions.

“If the panel had been more patient and painstaking, it would have been availed of all relevant documents on some of the jaundiced findings.

“As if acting a script, the Presidency alleged that the panel accused Dasuki of awarding fictitious contracts between March 2012 and March 2015.

“Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name. The ex-NSA was appointed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on June 22, 2012.”

The ex-NSA also explained that all arms contracts and payments were approved by Jonathan.

He said all the services acknowledged the delivery of military equipment supplied to them.